Explosive bullet



June 8, 1943. R CL 2,321,128

EXPLOSIVE BULLET Filed March 27, 1941' Invent/1r Patented June 8, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EXPLOSIVE BULLET Robert R. Clark, Chapel Hill, N. C.

Application March 27, 1941, Serial No. 385,549

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in bullets and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising a projectile which, upon contact with the target, is adapted to explode thereby greatly increasingthe effectiveness of said projectile.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an explosive bullet of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construc tion, reliable and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through a bullet constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the projectile.

Figure 3 is an elevational view, showing the elements of the projectile separated.

Figure 4 is a view in vertical longitudinal sec' tion through a modification.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the reference numeral I designates a case for the reception, in its rear portion, of a suitable explosive charge 2. A conventional cap 3 is provided in the rear end portion of the case I for firing the explosive charge 2.

Mounted in the case I and projecting forwardly therefrom is a projectile which is designated generally by the reference numeral 4. A wad or the like 5 is provided in the case I between the explosive charge 2 and the rear end of the projectile 4.

The projectile 4 includes a nose 6 of suitable metal which may be either pointed or blunt. The nose 6 includes a reduced rear end portion constituting a firing pin I which terminates in a pointed rear end. Mounted on the firing pin I and secured thereto by a pin 8 is a ring 9 of comparatively soft, compressible or distortable metal. The ring 9 has formed therein a circumferential groove or channel II] which provides space for the flow of excess metal when the nose 6 strikes an object and compresses or distorts said ring. The groove or channel I0 is also adapted to receive a suitable lubricant for the bore of the l clounted on the rear end portion of the ring 9 is a substantially cylindrical chamber I I. Mounted in the chamber II is a frangible container I2 for an explosive charge Hi. The container I2 is of thin asbestos or other suitable fire resisting material. The forward end of the container I2 is in contact with the point of the firing pin 1. Secured by lugs or the like I4 in position in the forward end portion of the container I2 is an igniting cap I5.

It is thought that the manner in which the bullet functions will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the charge 2 explodes when the gun is fired and propels the projectile 4 in the usual manner. When the nose 6 of the projectile 4 strikes an object the comparatively soft ring 9 is compressed and distorted. In this manner, the pin I is caused to penetrate the container I2 and fire the cap I5, thus igniting the explosive charge I 3.

In Figure 4 of the drawing, reference numeral I6 designates generally a modified projectile to be mounted in the case I. This embodiment comprises a nose I! of suitable soft metal having formed in a rear portion thereof a circumferentially extending groove or channel I8. Mounted on the rear end portion of the nose I! is a substantially cylindrical chamber I9 which, like the chamber I I, is closed at its rear end. Mounted in the chamber I9 is a container 20 which encloses a plurality of explosive capsules 2 I.

Mounted centrally in the nose I! and projecting therefrom into the container 20 is a stem or shank 22. Fixed on the rear end of the stem 22 and operable in the container 20 is a disk 23. The disk 23 has mounted thereon a plurality of pins 24 which are adapted to penetrate and explode the capsules 2I When the soft nose I! strikes an object said nose is compressed and distorted by the impact. Thus, the stem 22 is caused to move rearwardly with the disk 23 thereon for driving the pins 24 into the explosive capsules 2|. The groove or channel I8 receives the flow of excess metal when the nose I l strikes the object and is also adapted to receive a suitable lubricant for the bore of the gun.

It is believed that the many advantages of an explosive bullet constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although preferred embodiments of said bullet are as illustrated and described, it i to be understood that further modifications and changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed:

.What is claimed is:

An explosive bullet of the character described comprising a nose including a relatively soft rear portion having a circumferential channel therein, a case mounted on the rear portion of the nose and closing the channel, a chamber mounted on the rear of the nose and projecting rearwardly therefrom in the case, a container in said chamber, an explosive charge in said container, an

explosive charge in the case rearwardly of the chamber, a wad between the second-named charge and the chamber, and a firing pin on the rear end of the nose operable in the chamber, said pin being operable by the compressing of the relatively soft rear portion of the nose upon striking an object for firing the first-named charge.

ROBERT R. CLARK. 

